Aryna Sabalenka Fires a Very Confident Shot at Nick Kyrgios Ahead of Dubai Mixed Madness Showdown
Ahead of Wednesday’s highly anticipated mixed-doubles exhibition clash against Nick Kyrgios and Amanda Anisimova at the World Tennis League in Dubai, the world No. 1 wasted no time reminding everyone why she has spent the last two years terrorising the tour, and its loudest personalities.
When asked by the on-court interviewer how she felt about facing Kyrgios, the man who once called her 2023 Australian Open triumph “boring” and claimed he could beat half the women’s Top 10 on a good day, Sabalenka flashed her trademark wolfish grin and unloaded.
“Nick talks a lot, we all know that,” she began, the Coca-Cola Arena crowd already roaring in anticipation.
“But tomorrow he’s going to be on the same court as me. And when he sees how fast that ball is actually coming, maybe he will finally shut up for five seconds.”
The arena erupted. Kyrgios, sitting courtside in a bright orange hoodie, immediately stood up laughing, cupped his ear theatrically, and fired back: “Keep talking, Aryna. I like my coffee strong and my women louder!”
Sabalenka didn’t flinch. She leaned into the microphone one more time.
“Coffee? I’m going to serve him espresso at 210 km/h straight to the body. Let’s see if he can handle the caffeine.”
The exchange is the latest chapter in a playful but pointed rivalry that dates back to 2023, when Kyrgios repeatedly questioned the depth of the women’s game during Sabalenka’s dominant Melbourne run. Since then, the Belarusian has won three more Grand Slams, spent 61 weeks (and counting) at world No. 1, and turned every doubter into background noise.
Kyrgios, returning from yet another long injury layoff and playing only his third event of 2025, has leaned fully into his entertainer role at the World Tennis League. But even he admitted post-match on Monday that facing Sabalenka in any format is “proper scary.”
“She hits the ball like a freight train with anger issues,” he said. “I’m just hoping she’s hungover from the off-season.”
She clearly isn’t.
Wednesday’s mixed doubles spectacle, part of the star-studded WTL season that also features Djokovic, Swiatek, Alcaraz and Medvedev, now has its must-watch moment. Sabalenka and partner Mirra Andreeva against Kyrgios and Anisimova is officially sold out, with standing-room tickets changing hands for triple face value.
One thing is certain: whatever happens on court, the Belarusian has already won the verbal rally in straight sets.
As Sabalenka walked off the interview stage, she turned back to the crowd and barked her now-famous “C’mon!” one last time, then pointed directly at Kyrgios and mouthed two words loud enough for the front row to hear:
